News for social, fiscal & national security conservatives who believe in God, family & the USA. Upholding the rights granted by God & guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, traditional family values, "republican" principles / ideals, transparent & limited "smaller" government, free markets, lower taxes, due process of law, liberty & individual freedom. All content approval rests with the ARRA News Service Editor. Opinions are those of the authors. While varied positions are reported, beliefs & principles remain fixed. No revenue is generated for this site - no paid ads accepted - no payments for articles. Fair Use doctrine is posted & used.Editor/Founder: Bill Smith, Ph.D. [aka: OzarkGuru & 2010 AFP National Blogger of the Year] Follow @arraContact: editor@arranewsservice.com (Pub. Since July, 2006)Home Page

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato
(429-347 BC)

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The FDA’s Definition Of "Healthy" Is Nuts

by Brittany Hunter: According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Frosted Flakes cereal and Pop Tarts are healthy foods, but foods containing a large amount of nuts, are not. To the average person this might instantly be viewed as a questionable concept of what passes for a “healthy” food, but until recently, the FDA has stood by its decision.

However, the FDA might be changing their tune when it comes to the foods it classifies as “healthy.” Currently, in order to use the term “healthy” on a product’s packaging, the product in question must not exceed three grams of fat. However, this means products like almonds and avocados, which both have enormous health benefits, would be considered, “unhealthy” if judged by the FDA’s standards.

In the 1990’s, “low-fat” diets became a huge trend, as many believed that “fats” found in food were responsible for weight gain. In the past several years, scientific advances have proved this theory wrong, since not all “fats” are created equal.

For example, the fats found in foods like nuts and avocados are incredibly healthy for you. However, thanks to the FDA standards, these healthy fats cannot be marketed to consumers as “healthy” products.

Given the new knowledge that we now know about fats, the FDA is considering revising its definition of “healthy.” The catalyst for this change is the company Kind, whose gluten-free bars contain a large amount of nuts, thus making its fat content too high to be deemed “healthy” under current FDA standards. The company would like to market its products as “healthy,” but have been unable to do so.

After the FDA reprimanded the company for putting “healthy and tasty” on their labels, Kind pushed back. After receiving a complaint from the company, the FDA decided it might be time to make some changes to their definition of “healthy.”

"We are pleased that the FDA is looking into" revising its definition, says Daniel Lubetzky, the CEO of Kind bars.

Other health experts have chimed in on the “great fat debate” as well. Thomas Sherman, an associate professor at Georgetown University, who teaches courses to medical students on nutrition, said, "Nuts have healthy fats ... that we know are good for cardiovascular health and mental health and are good sources of protein.” He continued, "Nuts are a wonderful component of our diet."

Though this is certainly not the first time government science has been found to be inaccurate, one thing that is certain, the FDA’s current definition of “healthy” is absolutely nuts!
---------------Brittany Hunter is a Staff Contributor at Generation Opportunity who shared this article with the ARRA News Service.Tags:FDA, nuts, Brittany Hunter, Generation OpportunityTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!

Comments by contributing authors or other sources do not necessarily reflect the position the editor, other contributing authors, sources, readers, or commenters. No contributors, or editors are paid for articles, images, cartoons, etc. While having reported on and promoting the beliefs associated with the ARRA, this blog/site is not controlled by nor funded by the ARRA. This site/blog does not advertise for money or services nor does it solicit funding for its support.

Fair Use: This site/blog may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of political, human rights, economic, democracy, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as provided for in section Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the US Copyright Law. Per said section, the material on this site/blog is distributed without profit to readers to view for the expressed purpose of viewing the included information for research, educational, or satirical purposes. Any person/entity seeking to use copyrighted material shared on this site/blog for purposes that go beyond "fair use," must obtain permission from the copyright owner.